Apparatus for compressing loose material into containers

ABSTRACT

In apparatus for packing fragmentary compressible material, typically tobacco, into containers by delivering the loose fragmentary material into an upright charger disposed above the container and passing a press ram downwardly through the charger to pack the material into the container, a distributor is provided at the top of the charger to assure even distribution of the loose material throughout the cross section of the charger and thus throughout the container. The distributor includes at least one deflector plate which can be moved from a stowed position, in which the press ram is allowed to pass, to a deflecting position in which the plate slants downwardly and inwardly relative to the top of the charger and is effective to deflect incoming loose material across the top portion of the charger. When only one deflector plate is used, the plate is oscillated through a horizontally extending arcuate path at the top of the charger when the plate is in deflecting position. A plurality of plates arranged in a series about the top of the charger can be used, in which case the plates are actuated to deflecting position successively. Presentation of the deflecting plate in its deflecting position successively at a plurality of points spaced about the top of the charger achieves even distribution of the incoming loose material.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Francis 8. l-ishburne;

Clarence H. l-linnaut, .lr., both of c/o Arnold Roylance Kruger and Duke, Suite 315, 1225 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 {21] Appl. No. 845,746 [22] Filed July 29, 1969 (45] Patented July 27, 1971 [$4] APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING LOOSE MATERIAL INTO CONTAINERS 13 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] 0.8. CI 141/73, 141/286,100/215 [51] Int. Cl B65b H24 [50] Field olSearch 14l/71- -81, 286; 100/215 [56] V References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,186,448 6/1965 Clark 141/73 X 3,288,177 11/1966 'Clark..... 141/73 6/1968 Knipp 141/71 X Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, Jr. Attorney-Roylance, Abrams, Berdo & Kaul ABSTRACT: In apparatus for packing fragmentary compressible material, typically tobacco, into containers 'by delivering the loose fragmentary material into an upright charger disposed above the container and passing a press ram downwardly through the charger to pack the material into the container, a distributor is provided at the top of the charger to assure even distribution of the loose material throughout the cross section of the charger and thus throughout the container. The distributor includes at least one deflector plate which can be moved from a stowed position, in which the press ram is allowed to pass, to a deflecting position in which the plate slants downwardly and inwardly relative to the top of the charger and is effective to deflect incoming loose material across the top portion of the charger. When only one deflector plate is used, the plate is oscillated through a horizontallyextending arcuate path at the top of the charger when the plate is in deflecting position. A plurality of plates arranged in a series about the top of the charger can be used, in which case the plates are actuated to deflecting position successively. Presentation of the deflecting plate in its deflecting position successively at a plurality of points spaced about the top of the charger achieves even distribution of the incoming loose material.

PATENTEBJULNIQH 3595.282

SHEET 5 0f 7 INVENTORS FP4A/C/S a r/sv/sue/ve rmmrmwm Sum 7 OF 7 3.595282 r ff? n m 5 W a yw WM? 6 INTO CONTAINERS This invention relates to apparatus for packing fragmentary v compressible material into containers, and finds particular application toapparatus for packing tobacco into hogsheads and cases.

It is common practice to pack tobacco into hogsheads and other containers by employing a vertically acting reciprocatery press equipped with an upright charger, the charger serving to retain a mass of tobacco suitable to be compressed into the container, and the press having a ram which is passed downwardly through the charger to compress the tobacco. Typical apparatus of this type are disclosed in Us. Pats. No. 2,596,0l8, issued May 6, 1952, to F. B. Fishburne et al., and 2,675,154, issued Apr. 13, I954, to F; B. Fishburne. Since it is necessary that the tobacco be distributed uniformly in the packed container, so that each portion of the space within the container is occupied by essentially the same quantity of tobacco, compressed to the same extent, apparatus-of the type referred to have employed distributors of various kinds, located at the top 'of the charger and serving to distribute the incoming tobacco uniformly. I

As usually employed, distributors embodied in such packing apparatus have been such as to require that the entire distributor be moved out of the way of the press ram before the ram descends, and such movement of the distributor has required a period of time on the order of 7 seconds or longer, depending upon the design of the particulardistributor. Since the press ram is operated at speeds on the order of 4 feet per second, the time required to shift the distributor out of the way has represented a significant and undesirable delay. Such packing apparatus have also suffered from-the disadvantage that the distributors employed have been relatively tall, typically on the order of 7 feet, so that the height ofthe frame had to be increased, or the effective height of the charger reduced, to accommodate the distributor. Additionally, the distributors heretofore employed hav'e been more complicated and expensive than desired, and have had the further disadvantage that the distributing action provided could not be adjusted easily and to a sufficient extent. Thus, despitethe fact that the apparatus provided heretofore have been widely adopted, there has been a continuing need for improvement.

It is accordingly a general object of the invention to device apparatus of the type described which overcomes the disadvantages which have characterized the packing apparatus heretofore available to the trade.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus wherein the time required for removal of the distributor frl gm the path of travel of the press ram is reduced to a minimum and does not impair the operating efficiency of the apparatus.

A further object is to provide a distributor for such apparatus which is simpler, less expensive and more compact than has been the case with prior art devices, and particularly to provide such a distributor which requires several feed less vertical space than has been necessary heretofore.

Yet another object is to provide a more efficient distributor which can be controlled at will to adjust the distributing action in accordance with observations of the tobacco or like material falling into the lower portion ofthe charger.

A still further object is to provide a packing apparatus ofthe type described wherein the entire area at the top of the charger occupied by the distributor is laterally enclosed, so that particles or fragmentsof the material being pack'ed cannot escape from the charger and fall as waste material.

Apparatus according to the invention are characterized by provision, at the top ofthe upright charger, of an infeed conveyor or equivalent supply means arranged to project the loose tobacco or other fragmentary material in a stream directed across the topof' the charger, and deflecting means which is stowed adjacent the wall ofthe charger to allow passage of the pressing ram but which is presented in a charger for pivotal movement between a stowed position, in

which the plate is parallel with and adjacent the wall of the charger so as to allow free passage of the passing ram, and a deflecting position, in which the plate slants downwardly and inwardly, relative to the top of the charger, to intercept the incoming stream of tobacco or other material, operating means being provided not only to pivot the deflecting plate but also to cause the same to move in oscillatory fashion in a circular path about the top of the charger so that the plate can be presented in its deflecting position successively at a plurality of locations spaced in an arc about the top of the charger. With the location of the infeed conveyor fixed, such oscillatory movement of the deflecting plate results in uniform distribution of the tobacco or other material with respect to the container being filled. In other embodiments, a plurality of pivotable deflector plates are used, each at a different fixed location about the top of the charger, and the plates are moved sequentially to their deflecting positions to uniformly distribute the incoming material relative to the container.

In order that the manner in which the foregoing and other objects are attained in accordance with the invention can be understood in detail, particularly advantageous embodiments thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the original disclosure of the- FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view taken generally on line 44, FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electrical control system employed in the apparatus of FIGS. l4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram'illustrating a fail-safe interlock between the pressing ram and distributor of the apparatus of FIGS. I4;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, of an apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention;

, FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram ofa control system employed in the apparatus of FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a composite view showing in side elevation apparatus constructed according to yet another embodiment of the invention, with parts broken away for clarity of illustration, and control means shown diagrammatically; and

FIG. 11 is a top plan elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 10.

Turning now to the drawings in detail, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one embodiment of the invention applied to a tobacco packing apparatus comprising a vertically arranged charger, indicated generally at 1, FIG. I, a support 2 for a hogshead or like container 3 into which the tobacco is to be packed, and a pressing ram 4 carried by a shaft 5 and arranged to be reciprocated vertically, travelling first downwardly through the charger 1 to compress the tobacco into container 3 and then upwardly through the charger to its starting position spaced above the top of the charger.

Charger I is conventionally mounted for movement between a raised and a lowered position and includes a main body portion 6, a lower end portion 7, and a top portion 8 and is of circular transverse cross section throughout its length.

charger can be observed, for a purpose later described. A conventional bell 9 depends from charger portion 7 so as to be disposed about the top of container 3 when the charger is in the lowered position, as seen in FIG. 1.

The upper end of top portion 8 of the charger has rigidly secured thereto, as by welding, a reenforcing ring 10 of right angle cross section, one web of the reenforcing ring directly embracing the cylindrical outer surface of portion 8 and the other web projecting transversely outwardly. The extreme top end portion 11 of charger portion 8 is located above reenforcing ring 10 and is frustoconical, tapering upwardly and outwardly, as best seen in FIG. 2. A mounting ring 12 is welded to the top of end portion 11, ring 12 being of L-shaped cross section, with one web 13 projecting transversely outwardly and the other web 14 projecting upwardly as a cylindrical portion concentric with the central axis of the charger, the upper edge of portion 11 being secured to ring 12 at the junction between the two webs of the ring. Upwardly projecting web 14 of ring 12 supports a plurality of rollers 15, each roller being journaled on a stub shaft 16 which extends through and is rigidly secured to web 14. Each roller includes a short cylindrical portion 17 and an end flange 18, the end flanges 18 being adjacent web 14 and the cylindrical portions 17 projecting therefrom, inwardly relative to ring 12. All ofstub shafts 16 lie in a common plane transverse to the vertical axis of the charger, and the stub shafts each extend radially of the charger, the stub shafts, and thus the rollers 15, being equally spaced circumferentially of the charger.

Rotatably supported by rollers 15 is a ring 19. Ring 19 is of L-shaped transverse cross section, one web 20 of the ring projecting outwardly as a flat annular flange, the other web 21 depending as a right cylindrical portion. The diameter of web 20 is such that the web overlies cylindrical portions 17 ofthe rollers 15, with the periphery of web 20 extending immediately adjacent to the flanges 18 of the rollers. Thus, ring 19 is supported by the rollers for free rotation, yet is restrained by flanges 18 against movement transversely relative to the charger.

Adjacent the lower end of web 21, a circular ring 22 is secured to and embraces web 21. A drive belt 23 extends about ring 22 and also around the driven pulley 24 of a conventional electric motor drive unit 25. Drive unit 25 includes an electric motor 26 and a gear reduction unit 27. The drive unit is secured to a mounting bracket 28 which is welded to and projects radially outwardly from reenforcing ring 10 and the adjacent portion of upper portion 8 ofthe charger. Drive unit 25 is so situated that its output shaft, to which pulley 24 is secured, is upright, and pulley 24 lies in the same plane as ring 22.

Two upright mounting bars 29 are secured at their lower ends to ring 19, the bars being parallel and spaced-apart chordwise of the ring. Fixed to each bar 29 in a location immediately above web 20 is a bearing 30, the bearings being aligned so that the shaft 31 journaled therein is parallel to the plane of ring 19 and extends chordwise relative to the ring and, since the ring and charger are coaxial, chordwise with respect to the charger. Secured rigidly to the center of shaft 31 is a bellcrank lever 32. One arm 33 oflever 32 is provided with a flange 34 to which is rigidly secured a deflecting plate 35. As seen in FIGS. 2-4, plate 35 is a rectangular in plan, and one edge portion 36 thereof extends in a plane parallel with and adjacent to shaft 31. Considering edge portion 36 as the top edge of the plate, the plate is of arcuate transverse cross section, its radius of curvature being only slightly smaller than that of the top portion 8 of charger 1, so that, given the appropriate rotational position of shaft 31, plate 35 can extend in a stowed position immediately adjacent to the inner surface of top portion 8 of the charger. Since the lower end of plate 35, i.e the edge portion opposite edge portion 36, extends for substantially less than l80, the plate can be pivoted from its stowed position to a position in which the same slants from shaft 31 downwardly and inwardly across the top of the charger at, e.g., an angle of relative to the central axis of the charger.

Oscillation of shaft 31 to pivot plate 35 between its stowed and deflecting positions is accomplished by a vertically arranged conventional piston-and-cylinder-type fluid pressureoperated power device 37. Power device 37 comprises a cylinder 38, piston 39 and power shaft 40, the latter extending downwardly to a point adjacent shaft 31 and being connected to arm 41 of bellcrank 32 by a clevis 42. The power device is fixedly mounted by securing cylinder 38 to a crossmember which extends between and is fixed to mounting bars 29. Compressed air is supplied to cylinder 38 via a suitable flexible hose, not shown, under control of a solenoid operated valve 43. Valve 43 is so arranged that, when the valve is energized, air is supplied to the cylinder to drive the piston downwardly, pivoting the combination of shaft 31 and bellcrank 32 in a direction to swing plate 35 to its deflecting position. When deenergized, valve 43 acts to supply compressed air to cylinder 38 below the piston so that shaft 40 is driven upwardly and plate 35 is swung to its stowed position.

In order that the extent of movement of plate 35 away from its stowed position can be adjusted to predetermine the deflecting position ofthe plate, an adjustable stop member 44 is mounted on ring 19 below and in vertical alignment with arm 41 of bellcrank 32.

The position of arm 41 of bellcrank 32 is sensed by a conventional normally open electrical switch 45 which is carried by ring 19. Switch 45 is so located that its operating lever is disposed above lever arm 41 and is actuated by the arm to close the switch when plate 35 reaches its stowed position.

The tobacco to be packed is supplied, as a stream projected generally across the top of the charger, by an infeed device in the form of a horizontal endless conveyor 47 which extends radially with respect to the charger and is arranged with its delivery end immediately above ring 19 in a location near the wall of the charger. It will be understood that, save for movement of the conveyor belt and for the usual provisions for adjustment, the position of the conveyor 47 is fixed relative to the charger.

Motor 26 is a conventional 3-phase synchronous electric motor powered via conductors 4850, FIG. 5, to drive pulley 24 clockwise or counterclockwise, depending upon which of two reversing relays 51, 52 is energized. Reversing relays 51, 52 are controlled automatically by a control circuit including position switches 53, 54 and time delay relays 55 and 56, this control circuit being activated only when a manual switch 57, a press ram position responsive switch 58, and the contacts 59a ofa relay 59, used to control infeed conveyor 47, are all closed.

Position switches 53 and 54 are mounted on the horizontal web 13 of ring 12, as seen in FIG. 3, with switch 54 being located at the other side of that conveyor. Switch 53 is actuated at the end of each cycle of counterclockwise travel of ring 12 and serves to energize relay 51, via time delay relay 55, to reverse the power connections to motor 26 and thereby commence clockwise rotation of ring 12. Similarly, switch 54 is actuated at the end of each cycle of clockwise travel of ring 12, serving to energize relay 52, via time delay relay 56 to again reverse the power connections to motor 26 and thereby commence counterclockwise rotation of ring 12.

Switches 53, 54 are actuated by a cam 60 which is carried by horizontal web 20 of ring 19. The cam consists of a metal strip, the main body 61 of the strip being arcuate, with approximately the same radius of curvature as the peripheral edge of web 20 and having one of its edges welded to the peripheral portion of web 20 in such fashion that the length of main body 61 extends generally along the peripheral edge of web 20 and the width of body 61 projects vertically upwardly from web 20. The end portions of cam 60 are bent inwardly, toward the interior of ring 19. Accordingly, as the assembly including ring 19 approaches the end of each counterclockwise cycle of movement, the leading end portion of the cam 60 displaces the actuating arm of switch 53 from its normal position to its actuated position, thus closing the contacts of that switch until, motor 26 having been reversed to drive the assembly including ring 19 in a clockwise direction, cam 60 is moved out of engagement with the actuating arm of the switch. Similarly, as the assembly including ring 19 approaches the end of each clockwise cycle of movement, the then-leading end portion of cam 60 displaces the actuating arm of switch 54 from its normal position to its actuated position, thus closing the contacts of that switch until, motor 26 having been reversed to drive the assembly including ring 19 in a counterclockwise direction, cam 60 is moved out of engagement with the actuating arm of the switch.

Position switch 53 includes a set of normally open contacts 62 and a set of normally closed contacts 63. Position switch 54 comprises a set of normally open contacts 64 and two sets of normally closed contacts 65 and 66.

Reversing relay 51 includes three sets of normally open contacts 67-69, one set of normally closed contacts 70, and an additional set of normally open contacts 71. Reversing relay 52 includes three sets of normally open reversing contacts 72-74, and one set of normally closed contacts 75.

The time delay relays 55 and 56 are of the conventional on delay" time delay relay type and include normally open contacts 76 and 77, respectively. These two relays are so constructed and arranged that the contacts are actuated to their closed position after an adjustable period of time haselapsed after first energization of the actuating winding of the relay.

The control circuit is connected between a supply terminal 78 and ground and includes aconductor 79 in which the manual switch 57, the press ram position switch 58 and the contacts 59a of relay 59 are all connected in series so that the manual switch57, position switch 58 and relay contacts 59a must all be closed before the control circuit can be energized.

The actuating winding 80 of solenoid-operated valve 43 is connected between conductor 79 and ground via conductor 81. As previously explained, valve 43 is so constructed and arranged as to control the flow of pressure fluid to power device 37 to cause deflector plate to be swung to its deflecting position whenever the winding 80 has been energized. When winding 80 is deenergized, a spring 82 automatically returns the valve to a normal position in which power device 37 is operated to swing plate 35 to its stowed position. Accordingly, whenever switch 57, position switch 58 and contacts 59a are all simultaneously closed, winding 80 of the valve will be energized and deflecting plate 35 will accordingly occupy its deflecting position but, whenever any of switch 57, position switch 58 and contacts 590 are open, winding 80 cannot be energized, and spring 82 will maintain valve 43 in a condition such that the deflecting plate occupies its stowed position. Contacts 65 of position switch 54 are connected, on one side, via conductor 83 to conductor 79, and, on the other side, via conductor 84 to one side of contacts 63 of position switch 53. The other side of contacts 63 is connected by conductor 85 to one side of contacts 70 of reversing relay 5]. The other side of contacts 70 is connected via conductor 86 to one terminal of winding 87 of reversing relay 52, the other terminal of that winding being connected to ground. Accordingly, when neither switch 53 nor switch 54 is in its actuated position, closing of the series combination of switch 57, position switch 58 and contacts 59a will result in energization of the winding 87 of reversing relay 52 via the circuit just described, the result of such energization being to close contacts 72-74 and to open contacts 75. Closing of contacts 72-74 energizes motor 26 to drive the distributor assembly, including ring 19 and plate 35, in a counterclockwise direction and such driving action will continue until the cam 60 engages the actuating arm of switch 53 to actuate that switch.

One side of contacts 62 of switch 53 is connected to conductor 79 by conductor 88. The other side of these contacts is connected to one terminal of winding 89 of time delay relay via conductor 90, the other terminal of that winding being connectedto ground. One side of contacts 76 of relay 55 is connected to conductor 79 via conductor 91. The other side of contacts 76 is connected by conductor 92 to one side of the contacts 66 of position switch 54. The other side of contacts 66 is connected by conductor 93 to one side of contacts 75 of reversing relay 52, the other side of that set of contacts being connected by conductor 94 to-one ten-ninal of the actuating winding 95 of reversing relay 51. The remaining terminal of winding 95 is connected to ground. Conductor 92 is also connected to one side of the normally open contacts 71 of reversing relay 51 via conductor 96, the other side of contacts 64 being connected to conductor 79.

Actuation of switch 53 by cam 60 causes contacts 62 to close and contacts 63 to open. Opening of contacts 63 deenergizes winding 87 of relay 52, so that contacts 72-74 open to interrupt current flow to motor 26. Closing of contacts 62 completes the circuit to winding 89 of relay 55 so that this winding is energized and contacts 76 are closed after a predetermined time delay. With contacts 76 now closed, a circuit is completed which includes conductors 91 and 92, contacts 66, conductor 93,.contacts 75 of reversing relay 52, conductor 94, and the actuating winding 95 of reversing relay 51. Since position switch 54 is not actuated, contacts 66 are in their normally closed position. Similarly, since winding 87 of relay 52 is deenergized, contacts 75 are in their normally closed position, and the winding 95 is accordingly energized to cause contacts 67-69 to close, contacts 70 to open, and contacts 71 to close. Closing of contacts 67-69 causes motor 26 to be energized to rotate the distributor assembly, including ring 19 and deflector plate 35, in a clockwise direction. Opening of contacts 70 assures that winding 87 of reversing relay 52 cannot be energized again until reversing relay 51 has been deenergized. Closing of contacts 71 and 66 completes a holding circuit, including conductors 79, 96, 92 and 93, contacts 75, and conductor 94 to maintain winding 95 energized regardless of the condition of contacts 76 of time delay relay 55. This holding circuit is necessary to assure continued energization of winding 95 during the clockwise cycle of movement of the distributor after that time when the cam 60 has disengaged from the actuating arm of switch 53.

One side of contacts 64 of position switch 54 is connected to conductor 79 by conductor 97. The other side of this set of contacts is connected by conductor 98 to one terminal of winding 99 of time delay relay 56, the other terminal of winding 99 being connected to ground. Accordingly, when the distributor has completed its clockwise cycle of movement, so that cam 60 actuates position switch 54, closing of contacts 64 of switch 54 causes winding 99 of relay 56 to be energized. As a predetermined period after such energization, relay 56 operates to close contacts 77 which are connected between one side of contacts 63 and conductor 79 by conductors 100 and 101. With contacts 63 occupying their normally closed position, and the contacts 77 closed as a result of energization of winding 99, a circuit comprising conductor 100, contacts 77, conductor 101, contacts 63, conductor 85, contacts 70, and conductor 86 is completed to energize winding 87 of reversing relay 52. Energization of winding 87 again actuates contacts 72-74 to their closed position to energize motor 26 to drive the distributor assembly in its counterclockwise direction, as hereinbefore described.

Switch 58 can be of any conventional normally open type equipped with a suitable actuating arm to be engaged by a cam, indicated diagrammatically at 102 in FIG. 5 and secured to the press ram, the location of the cam and switch being such that the switch will be closed only when the press ram is in its fully elevated position and, therefore, completely clear of the charger. Relay 59 is employed to control the driving motor 103, FIG. 5, for the infeed conveyor 47, this control being via normally open contacts 59b of the relay. Manual switch 97 is provided as a manual override for the automatic operation which would otherwise result when both switch 58 and contacts 59a of relay 59 are closed.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the normal operation of the distributor, under the control of the system illustrated in FIG. 5 and just described, is to provide automatic sequential clockwise and counterclockwise rotary movement of the distributor assembly including deflector plate 35 whenever the press ram is fully elevated and the infeed conveyor is operated to supply loose material to be packed. Though the distributor assembly is driven at a constant rate by motor 26, the effective overall rate of the distributor assembly can be adjusted by adjusting time delay relays 55 and 56 to vary the residence time of the deflector blade at the end of its counterclockwise and clockwise movement, respectively. Such adjustment can be the same for each relay, so as to change the overall distributing effect, or selectively different for the two relays, so as to distribute more material to one side or the other of conveyor 47. The control system further assures that the deflector plate 35 will automatically be actuated to its deflecting position whenever the distributor is in operation, yet will be automatically moved to its stowed position whenever the press ram descends, as detected by opening of switch 58.

FIG. 6 illustrates diagrammatically a portion of the control system for a press constructed in accordance with the invention and embodying an additional safety feature to further assure that the deflecting plate 35 will be in its stowed position whenever the press ram is not in its fully raised position. Here, the power cylinder for the press is indicated at 104, and a conventional double-solenoid, three-position control valve 105 is shown, connected to control the flow of pressure fluid to the cylinder 104. Valve 98 includes a solenoid winding 106 to operate the valve for control of cylinder 104 in driving the press ram downwardly through the charger. Winding 106 is energized via a circuit including contacts 107 and 108 in series. Valve 105 further includes a second solenoid winding 109 to place the valve in condition for flow of pressure fluid in a direction to cause cylinder 104 to raise the press ram, and winding 109 is connected to be energized by a circuit including contacts 110 and 111 in series. Contacts 107 and 110 are portions of position switch 45 provided with an operating arm, indicated at 112, the switch being so positioned that operating arm 112 is engaged by arm 41 of bellcrank lever 32 to actuate the normally open contacts 107 and 110 to their closed position only when arm 41 occupies that position resulting when deflector plate 35 has been pivoted to its stowed position. Accordingly, the presence of normally open contacts 107, 110 assures that, regardless of the position of control contacts 108 and 111, valve 105 cannot be energized to supply pressure fluid to cylinder 104 until deflector plate 35 has moved to its stowed position.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, a single deflector plate 35 is employed, the deflector plate is moved to its deflecting position whenever distributing of tobacco is to be accomplished and, with the deflecting plate in its deflecting position, the entire distributor assembly is then rotated to present the deflector plate, still in its deflecting position, successively at all locations along the arc of the charger top not occupied by the infeed conveyor. FIGS. 7-9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention which employs the same broad mode of operation but without rotation ofthe deflector plate means. In this embodiment, a plurality of deflector plates are employed and are actuated successively to their deflecting positions, the previously actuated deflector plate being stowed simultaneously with actuation ofthe next deflector plate to its deflecting position.

As seen in FIG. 7, an internally disposed ring 120 of rightangle cross section is secured to a cylindrical shroud portion 121 at the charger top in such fashion that the horizontal web 122 of ring 120 projects inwardly. Three identical deflector plates 123-125 are pivotally supported by ring 120, the mounting and actuating arrangement for all three of the deflector plates being identical. Thus, deflector plate 123 is suspended from a shaft 126 journaled in uprights 127 fixed to the horizontal flange of ring 120 and projecting upwardly therefrom. Shaft 126 is equipped with a bellcrank lever 128. The upper end portion of a cyIinder-and-piston-type power device 130 is pivotally attached to crossmember 129, as by means of a bracket 131. Power device 130 thus depends from crossmember 129, and the free end portion of the piston rod 132 of power device 130 is pivotally connected to the free end of the horizontal arm of bellcrank 128. Deflector plates 124 and are similarly equipped with power devices 133 and 134, respectively.

Turning to FIG. 9, each of the power devices 130, 133 and 134 is equipped with a solenoid-operated control valve 135- 137, respectively. The power devices 130, 133 and 134 are in all respects identical to power device 37 ofthe embodiment of FIGS. 16, energization of the solenoids of the respective valves 135-137 serving to cause the power device to swing the corresponding deflector plate upwardly and outwardly to its deflecting position. And, upon deenergization of the solenoid valve, a spring is employed to return the valve to it normal position causing the power device to return the deflecting plate to its stowed position.

The valves controlling power devices 130, 133 and 134 are energized sequentially, as by the rotary switching device indicated diagrammatically at 138. The switch 138 includes three arcuate fixed contacts l39141 which are equally spaced in a circularly arranged series centered on the axis of rotation of a shaft 142 which carries the rotary contact 143. Fixed contact 139 is connected via conductor 144 to one terminal of the solenoid winding 145 of valve 135, the other terminal of the winding being connected to ground. Similarly, contact 140 is connected by conductor 146 to one terminal of winding 147 of valve 136, the remaining terminal of the winding being connected to ground. Finally, fixed contact 141 is connected by conductor 148 to one terminal of the actuating winding 149 of valve 137, the other terminal of the winding being connected to ground. Rotary contact 143 is connected to supply terminal 150 via conductor 151 and the series combination of contacts 152 of infeed conveyor control relay 153, press ram position switch 154 and manual switch 155. Shaft 142 is driven by a constant speed motor 156 which can be supplied from terminal 150, as shown.

In operation, assuming that all of contacts 152, switch 154 and switch 155 are closed, rotary switch 138 is operated continuously to energize the solenoid windings of valves 135- 137 sequentially, so that power devices 130, 133 and 134 are sequentially operated to move their respective deflector plates 123-125 from stowed to deflecting positions. As soon as one of the deflector plates has been swung to its stowed position, the next-operated deflector plate is automatically swung to its deflecting position. Thus, the operation of moving the deflector plates to their deflecting positions proceeds progressively around that are ofthe top ofthe charger which is not occupied by the infeed conveyor and the operation of the device in distributing the tobacco supplied by the infeed conveyor is broadly the same as that hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 16.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate another embodiment of the invention, applied to a press for packing tobacco or the like into rectangular containers, the press being of that general type which is equipped with an upright charger having a rectangular transverse cross section corresponding to the rectangular shape of the case or other rectangular container into which the tobacco or the like is to be compressed. Here, the charger 200 includes, at its upper end, a short upwardly and outwardly flaring portion 201 to which is secured a top portion 202 of somewhat larger transverse dimensions than the charger proper. The open rectangular upper end of portion 202 is provided with an externally located stiffening collar 203.

Two deflector plates 204 and 205 are employed, each suspended pivotally from collar 203 by means of shafts 206 and 207, respectively. The end portions of shafts 206, 207 are respectively journaled in two parallel sides of collar 203 and one end portion of each shaft projects outwardly for a short distance beyond one of the sides. At this one side of charger portion 202, there is secured to the outwardly projecting end portion ofshaft 206 a bellcrank lever 208. At the same side of charger portion 202, a bellcrank lever 209 is secured to shaft 207. Lever 208 includes a depending arm 210 and a laterally projecting arm 211. Similarly, lever 209 includes a depending arm 212 and a laterally projecting arm 213. Levers 208 and 209 are so disposed that the arms 211 and 213 project in opposite directions, each extending beyond the side limits of the adjacent wall of charger portion 202.

A pressure fluid-operated rectilinearly acting power device 214 is provided which comprises a cylinder 215, a piston 216, and a piston rod 217. The free end of the piston rod 217 is pivotally connected to the lower end of arm 212 of lever 209 by a clevis 218. The closed end of cylinder 215 is connected to the lower end of arm 210 of lever 208 by a clevis 219. The dimensions of power device 214 are so chosen that, when piston 216 is moved to the right, as viewed in FIG. 9, levers 208 and 209 are pivoted in opposite directions to move the deflector plates 204, 205 to their stowed positions, against the respective sides of charger portion 202. On the other hand, when power device 214 is energized to move piston 216 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 9, the effective overall length of the power device is shortened, swinging the deflector plates 204, 205 toward the interior ofcharger portion 202.

The bottom end of charger portion 202 is provided with an exterior stiffening collar 220. A second rectilinearly acting, fluid pressure-actuated power device 221 is provided, comprising a cylinder 222, a piston 223, and a piston rod 224. The

closed end of cylinder 222 is mounted on stiffening collar 220 by a clevis 225 and bracket 226. Power device 221 is disposed vertically, so that piston rod 224 projects upwardly, terminating adjacent the free end of arm 213 oflever 209. The free end of piston rod 224 is pivotally connected to the free end of arm 213 by clevis 227.

Pressure fluid lines 228 and 229 are connected respectively to the ends of cylinder 215 of power device 214 and to a solenoid-operated reversing valve 230. Similarly, pressure fluid lines 231 and 232 are connected to the respective ends of cylinder 222 of power device 221 and to a solenoid operating reversing valve 233. Actuating winding 234 of valve 230 is connected between supply terminal 235 and ground via conductor 236. The series combination of a manual switch 237, contacts 238 ofa relay 239, and a position switch 240 is connected in conductor 236 so that the actuating winding 234 is energized whenever all ofswitch 237, contacts 238 and switch v240 are closed, but is deenergized when any of those three switching devices is opened.

The actuating winding 241 of valve 233 is connected between ground and conductor 236 by a circuit comprising conductor 242, the contacts ofa position switch 243, and conductor 244. Winding 241 can also be energized via a second circuit comprising conductor 245, normally open contacts 246 of a relay 247, conductor 248, the contacts of a position switch 249, and conductor 250, conductor 250 being connected to conductor 236, and conductor 245 being connected to conductor 244. The actuating winding 25] of relay 247 is connected between ground and conductor 245, as shown. Position switch 243 comprises an actuating arm indicated diagrammatically at 252, the actuating arm being so disposed the switch 243 is closed when the arm 213 of lever 209 is in its uppermost position (when the piston rod 224 of power device 221 is extended), switch 243 opening whenever power device 221 is energized to pivot lever 209 to move arm 213 downwardly, out ofengagement with the operating arm 252. Position switch 249 comprises an actuating arm indicated generally at 253 and so arranged as to be engaged by arm 211 of lever 208. Switch 249 is open whenever arm 211 is in its uppermost position (when the piston rod 217 of power device 214 is extended), and closes whenever arm 211 of lever 208 swings downwardly, as when power device 214 is energized to move its piston 216 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 9. Power device 214 is constructed and arranged to operate at a faster rate, under the control of valve 230, than does power device 221, under the control of valve 233.

In operation, switch 240 is closed in response to movement of the press head to its fully raised position, contacts 238 are closed in response to activation of the infeed conveyor for supplying tobacco or the like to the top of the charger, and manual switch 237 is closed, so that winding 234 of valve 230 is energized, actuating that valve to a position which supplies pressure fluid to the cylinder of power device 214 via line 229, so that the overall length of power device 214' is shortened.

' Simultaneously with energization of winding 234, winding 241 is energized via conductor 242, contacts 243 of switch 252, and conductor 244, so that pressure fluid is supplied to power device 221 via line 231. However, since the response of power device 221 is distinctly slower than that of power device 214, lever 209 will not have been pivoted by power device 221 to any significant extent by the time that power device 214 becomes fully actuated. Accordingly, the effect of actuation of power device 214 is to swing deflector plate 204 inwardly and upwardly away from its stowed position to its deflecting position, shown in broken lines in FIG. 10.

When winding 241 is energized, winding 251 of relay 247 is also energized, via conductor 245, so that contacts 246 of the relay are closed. Meanwhile, switch 249 has closed, as a result of counterclockwise (as viewed) pivotal movement of lever 208. Accordingly, a holding circuit is completed to maintain winding 241 in energized condition, via conductors 250, switch 249, conductor 248, contacts 246, conductor 245, and conductor 244. Power device 221 is accordingly energized, with the result that piston 223 is driven downwardly, pivoting lever 209 in a clockwise direction. Such motion of lever 209 swings deflector plate 205 inwardly and upwardly to its deflecting position, while simultaneously swinging deflector plate 204 back to its stowed position. When deflector plate 204 reaches its stowed position, arm 211 oflever 208 is swung upwardly to actuate switch 249 to its open position. At this point, with switch 249 open and, since power device 221 has been energized to drive piston 223 downwardly with switch 243 open, winding 241 is deenergized. Spring 254 of valve 233 causes that valve to reverse the pressure fluid supply connection to power device 221, so that piston 223 is driven upwardly, returning lever 209 to its original position, so that deflector plate 205 is swung to its stowed position and deflector plate 204 is swung to its deflecting position. As a result of this action, switch 243 is closed. Accordingly, lever 209 is again pivoted to swing plate 205 to its deflecting position and return plate 204 to its stowed position. The cycle of operation just described is repeated automatically for so long as the combination of switch 237, contacts 238 and switch 240 remains closed. However, as soon as the infeed conveyor has been stopped by deenergization of relay 239, opening of contacts 238 results in deenergization of both windings 234 and 241, so that valves 230 and 233 return to their initial positions, causing power devices 214-and 221 to return both deflector plates 204 and 205 to their stowed positions, preparatory to movement of the press ram downwardly through the charger.

in this embodiment, the relay 239 controls operation of an infeed conveyor 252 which, as best seen in FIG. 11, extends parallel to shafts 206, 207 and has its delivery end centered between shafts 206 and 207 and located immediately above the side ofcharger portion 202 which is opposite power device 214.

In this embodiment, employing a charger portion having flat sidewalls, deflector plates 204 and 205 are flat plates. When either deflector plate occupies its deflecting position, while tobacco or the like is being supplied by infeed conveyor 256, the effect of that deflector plate is to deflect the falling tobacco toward the side of the charger which is opposite to the side at which the particular deflecting plate mounted. Accordingly, cyclic operation of the deflector plates during continuous supply of material by the infeed conveyor, results in the material being distributed substantially uniformly with respect to the total cross-sectional area of the charger, rather than being concentrated predominantly in the central portion of the charger.

We claim:

1. ln apparatus for packing fragmentary compressible material into containers, which apparatus comprises an upright charger via which the compressible material can be fed to the container, and a reciprocatable pressing ram arranged for movement from an initial position above the charger downwardly through the charger to compress the material into the container and then upwardly through the charger to the initial position, the combination of infeed means constructed and arranged to direct the compressible material along a path generally across the top of the charger; deflector plate means mounted at the top ofthe charger and movable between a stowed position, in which said plate means is disposed in at least substantially vertical position at the side of the charger to allow the pressing ram to pass through the charger, and a deflecting position, in which said plate means slants downwardly and inwardly relative to the top of the charger to intercept the compressible material and deflect the same toward a location which is generally across the charger; operating means for said deflector plate means constructed and arranged to cause at least a portion of said deflector plate means to assume said deflecting position successively at a plurality ofdifferent positions spaced about the top of the charger as the compressible material is being supplied by said infeed means; and control means connected to said operating means and operable to cause said operating means to move said deflector plate means to said deflecting position when the pressing ram is in its initial position and to allow said deflector plate means to assume said stowed position whenever the pressing ram is not in its initial position. 2. The combination defined in claim 1 and further comprising a support; and means mounting said support at the top of the charger for at least generally circular movement in a path lying in a plane which is generally transverse to and centered on the axis ofreciprocatory movement ofthe pressing ram; said deflector plate means comprising a deflector plate mounted on said support for pivotal movement between said stowed position and said deflecting position; said plate being of arcuate transverse cross section and of such dimensions as to lie in immediate proximity to and at least substantially parallel to the wall of the top of the charger when in said stowed position; said operating means comprising a first power device carried by said support for moving said plate between said stowed position and said deflecting position, and a second power device connected to said support to move the same in said path. 3. The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said control means is constructed and arranged to operate said second power device to move said support. and thereby causing said plate to traverse said path. when said plate is in said deflecting position. 4. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said control means comprises two position responsive devices arranged at predetermined points along said path to respond to presence of said plate, and means controlled by said position responsive devices and connected to said second power device to control the same to so move said support that said plate oscillates along said path with said points determining the limits ofsuch oscillatory movement. 5. The combination defined in claim 2 and further compris ing an annular shroud disposed at the top ofthe charger and extending upwardly therefrom. said support and said deflector plate means being disposed within said shroud.

6. The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said support is a ring having an outwardly projecting circular flange; and I said means mounting said support comprises a plurality of rollers spaced-apart in a circular series and each journaled for rotation about a horizontal axis, said rollers being engaged beneath said flange. 7. The combination defined in claim 6, wherein said first power device is a fluid pressure-operated motor of the piston and cylinder type disposed with its operating axis upright, the combination further comprising a fixed upright annular shroud surrounding the top of the charger and projecting upwardly therefrom, said shroud surrounding said ring, said means mounting said ring, and said first power device. 8. The combination defined in claim 6, wherein said second power device is located outside of the circular series of said rollers and comprises a driven member arranged for rotation about an upright axis, the combination further comprising a flexible drive belt engaged about said ring and driven by said driven member ofsaid second power device. 9. The combination defined in claim 8, and further comprising a fixed upright annular shroud surrounding the top of the charger and projecting upwardly therefrom, said shroud surrounding said ring, said means mounting said first ring, and said first power device, said first power device being located outside of said shroud, and said shroud being provided with opening means through which said drive belt extends. 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said deflector plate means comprises a stationary support mounted at the top of the charger, a plurality ofdeflector plates, and means mounting each of said plates on said support swinging movement between said stowed and deflecting positions with said plates occupying different locations spaced about the top ofthe charger; and said operating means is constructed and arranged to operate said plates successively. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said deflector plate means comprises at least three deflector plates arranged in a series spaced about that portion of the top ofthe charger not occupied by said infeed means. 12. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the top of the charger is of rectangular transverse cross section;

said deflector plate means comprises two flat deflector plates each mounted to swing about an axis parallel to and immediately adjacent a different one of two opposite sidewalls of the top ofthe charger; and said operating means is constructed and arranged to swing first one of said plates to its deflecting position while maintaining the other of said plates substantially in its stowed position and then to swing said other other plate to its deflecting position while returning said one plate to its stowed position. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said operating means comprises adjustable length means connected between said two plates, adjustment of the length of said adjustable length means in one direction operating to pivot said plates toward each other and said adjustable length means then being operative to maintain the resulting angular disposition of said plates relative to each other, and

power means connected to one of said plates to swing the combination of both of said plates.

Patent No. 595 82 Dated July 1971 lnventofls) Francis E. Fishburne and Clarence H. Hinnant, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 46, "device" should read --devise. Column 1, line 57, "feed" should read --feet-.

Column 3, line 61, "a" should be deleted.

Column 6, line 44, "As" should read -A1:-.

Column 11, line 53, "causing" should read --cause--.

Column 12, line 38, --forshould be inserted before "swinging".

Signed and sealed this 8th day of February 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Commissioner of Patents EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. Attesting Officer 

1. In apparatus for packing fragmentary compressible material into containers, which apparatus comprises an upright charger via which the compressible material can be fed to the container, and a reciprocatable pressing ram arranged for movement from an initial position above the charger downwardly through the charger to compress the material into the container and then upwardly through the charger to the initial position, the combination of infeed means constructed and arranged to direct the compressible material along a path generally across the top of the charger; deflector plate means mounted at the top of the charger and movable between a stowed position, in which said plate means is disposed in at least substantially vertical position at the side of the charger to allow the pressing ram to pass through the charger, and a deflecting position, in which said plate means slants downwardly and inwardly relative to the top of the charger to intercept the compressible material and deflect the same toward a location which is generally across the charger; operating means for said deflector plate means constructed and arranged to cause at least a portion of said deflector plate means to assume said deflecting position successively at a plurality of different positions spaced about the top of the charger as the compressible material is being supplied by said infeed means; and control means connected to said operating means and operable to cause said operating means to move said deflector plate means to said deflecting position when the pressing ram is in its initial position and to allow said deflector plate means to assume said stowed position whenever the pressing ram is not in its initial position.
 2. The combination defined in claim 1 and further comprising a support; and means mounting said support at the top of the charger for at least generally circular movement in a path lying in a plane which is generally transverse to and centered on the axis of reciprocatory movement of the pressing ram; said deflector plate means comprising a deflector plate mounted on said support for pivotal movement between said stowed position and said deflecting position; said plate being of arcuate transverse cross section and of such dimensions as to lie in immediate proximity to and at least substantially parallel to the wall of the top of the charger when in said stowed position; said operating means comprising a first power device carried by said support for moving said plate between said stowed position and said deflecting position, and a second power device connected to said support to move the same in said path.
 3. The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said control means is constructed and arranged to operate said second power device to move said support, and thereby causing said plate to traverse said path, when said plate is in said deflecting position.
 4. The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said control means comprises two position responsive devices arranged at predetermined points along said path to respond to presence of said plate, and means controlled by said position resPonsive devices and connected to said second power device to control the same to so move said support that said plate oscillates along said path with said points determining the limits of such oscillatory movement.
 5. The combination defined in claim 2 and further comprising an annular shroud disposed at the top of the charger and extending upwardly therefrom, said support and said deflector plate means being disposed within said shroud.
 6. The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said support is a ring having an outwardly projecting circular flange; and said means mounting said support comprises a plurality of rollers spaced-apart in a circular series and each journaled for rotation about a horizontal axis, said rollers being engaged beneath said flange.
 7. The combination defined in claim 6, wherein said first power device is a fluid pressure-operated motor of the piston and cylinder type disposed with its operating axis upright, the combination further comprising a fixed upright annular shroud surrounding the top of the charger and projecting upwardly therefrom, said shroud surrounding said ring, said means mounting said ring, and said first power device.
 8. The combination defined in claim 6, wherein said second power device is located outside of the circular series of said rollers and comprises a driven member arranged for rotation about an upright axis, the combination further comprising a flexible drive belt engaged about said ring and driven by said driven member of said second power device.
 9. The combination defined in claim 8, and further comprising a fixed upright annular shroud surrounding the top of the charger and projecting upwardly therefrom, said shroud surrounding said ring, said means mounting said first ring, and said first power device, said first power device being located outside of said shroud, and said shroud being provided with opening means through which said drive belt extends.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said deflector plate means comprises a stationary support mounted at the top of the charger, a plurality of deflector plates, and means mounting each of said plates on said support swinging movement between said stowed and deflecting positions with said plates occupying different locations spaced about the top of the charger; and said operating means is constructed and arranged to operate said plates successively.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said deflector plate means comprises at least three deflector plates arranged in a series spaced about that portion of the top of the charger not occupied by said infeed means.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the top of the charger is of rectangular transverse cross section; said deflector plate means comprises two flat deflector plates each mounted to swing about an axis parallel to and immediately adjacent a different one of two opposite sidewalls of the top of the charger; and said operating means is constructed and arranged to swing first one of said plates to its deflecting position while maintaining the other of said plates substantially in its stowed position and then to swing said other other plate to its deflecting position while returning said one plate to its stowed position.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said operating means comprises adjustable length means connected between said two plates, adjustment of the length of said adjustable length means in one direction operating to pivot said plates toward each other and said adjustable length means then being operative to maintain the resulting angular disposition of said plates relative to each other, and power means connected to one of said plates to swing the combination of both of said plates. 